Machine for dispensing fluids



July 31, 1956 c. E. KERR MACHINE FOR DISPENSING FLUIDS l0 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 22, 1950 H MHF-li inmnmu N m a 0 mb an: MI a Bnventor CHARLES E. KER R (Ittorneg y 31, 1 56 c. E. KERR 2,756,916

MACHINE FOR DISPENSING FLUIDS CHARLES E. KERR A M =9. khwwmw.

attorney July 31, 1956 c. E. KERR MACHINE FOR DISPENSING FLUIDS 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 22, 1950 m @m w m D ,M Mu a aw s E l.- M

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fi m-HEP fi -Im- HIP July 31', 1956 c. E. KERR 2,756,916

MACHINE FOR DISPENSING FLUIDS Filed Nov. 22, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 3nnentor CHARLES E. KERR attorney E'IE '7 July 31, 1956 c. E. KERR 2,756,916

MACHINE FOR DISPENSING FLUIDS Filed Nov. 22, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 105 7/ club a Q 72 73 1/8 J 1/8 H 7 //7 //4 3nnentor CHARLES E. KERR July 31, 1956 c. E. KERR MACHINE FOR DISPENSING FLUIDS l0 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed NOV. 22, 1950 lium! IIIIIIIIIIIIIIA,

3nnentor CHARLES E. KERR (Ittorneg July 31, 1956 c. E. KERR 2,756,916

MACHINE FOR DISPENSING FLUIDS Filed NOV. 22, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 1Q 42 Zg I18 0 Hg 72 a 72 H5 7a Z1 75 mo L H 9.9 88 95 P I IE. l 2 60 Ennentor CHARLES E. KERR (Ittorneg July 31, 1956 c. E. KERR 2,75

MACHINE FOR DISPENSING FLUIDS Filed NOV. 22, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 T I IE.- Snventor CHARLES E. KERR ew W attorney July 31, 1956 c. E. KERR MACHINE FOR DISPENSING FLUIDS l0 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed NOV. 22, 1950 Envcntor CHARLES E. KERR ma hin adapted to fi m asured .aflwti "lea ndiy ua a ne m y e nvqaiw ly' v thenecessity of bringing the machine to a'sta I a nta ils fi l m nw l p .rs sxtsd- United States Patent ,91 MA INE FQ D SPER SFNG 5111 1 1 Charles E. Kerr, Hoopeston, 111., assignor to Food Ma- .ch ne y an Chem a prmrat an, S ose, Ca i a .cforfporation of Delaware P I s fiP November .2 la t sea spel -m2? 21 ,Claims. (Cl. 226- 97) Th i n on a e omash a ta 2 112 811 containers' More particularly the invention fr into containers. Machines of thisjype at; 559 fiiDlWQ i the o e at e' i s i s il f l ti ed qu n t es of b i 9 s ri intol ve gae Q en nss procession of cans.

It is an object of the invention to provide am h' e, of the type referred to, that combines simplicity pf st ii t w d e bi i of e atio' ial il l dispense very precisely the desired 9 i n 'o'tliierobject is to provide a machine, of the type referred to, wherein theflquantity of fluid dispensed into within wide limits.

M9 n bj t P vide a a ashiperof the type referred to, wherein adjustments jnl.the' guan ty of he spe ised fl d ma b perfo m d WP? the. 116

it' iin'sp at n:

lur'therrnore, it is an object to prov machine, of the type referre dto, contai jg of fluid dispensing units wherein the quantityof iiuid dispensed rna'y simultaneously be yaried for all of s'aid un its by a single adjustment which v may be performed vvith out .Sti .andth ab e i t prov de a mul v u tame fi n mac n of t .c9 t i u n9 9 ne wh te n t nd vidua a fil in n fi are adapte idi h rg he measure cements q fiui pn 'i lihhiesenclepf cans of the reception of saidliquid. Another object is to provide La machi'rie, of the type, ted t9 t at ma r ad b a u te tq-h n l $9 t ne s of diiferent height without need to interrupt the "556mm of the machine.

Additionally,

is a o ec f he Ii l- Q Ql QB t rnta e syfit c ean- Ihese and other objects of my invention will he apparent frorn,thefollowing description of the accprnpanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof andwherein:

.-Fig. 1 is a perspective of a machine for tfilling ,rneasuredquantities of a liquid into containers, constructed in accordance withthe invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine illustrated in Fig. -1 .with parts of its superstructure omittedto ekpose'the mechanism underneath;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section throughthe same machine along its center axis;

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary detail views showing parts of the vertical section illustrated in Figure 3' Ethan .enlarged scale;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating detailspf the actuating mechanism for the filler v alvs cdmp'lised in, the machine of theinvention; i Fig. 7, isa fragmentaryelevational viewnshowing -the 20 Fig. '13 is a fragmentary perspective of the machine 25 15" is a fragmentary elevational view" 30 16 16 thereof.

mechanism illustrated in Figure 6 as viewed from the pe- "iiphe'ryojf the "machine;

' "Fig. 8 isa fragmentary plan view illustrating details of the actuating mechanism for the measuringdevices 5 "comprised in the machine of the invention;

" Fi'gi 'i9" is a fragmentary elevational view showing the mechanism illustrated in Figure 8 as viewed from the periphery of the machine;

Fig."1 0 shows the development of an annular band that 10 surrounds the machine of the invention and plural cam tracks adapted to operate the actuating mechahisi'ris forthefil'ler valves and the measuring devices; fl

Fig. II is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section, which illustrates the cam track' that operates theactii atmechanisms for the filler valves;

Figure 7, illustratingfurther det ilso f the "n echanismsifor the filler valvesand Fig. 1;6'"is a'plan view of a horizontal section through the {mechanismsillustrated in Figure 151M 1; a l on machine illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a rotary can filling station A to which cans are'l'delive'red in timed relation by a' suita b'le can feeding' mechan sm, sqch"a the worm feed B,'and Whichdischarge's thelfilleld 3 'a'ii's i'nto suitahle conveying means, such'as the discharge Having reference to Fig. 3 the rotary filling station A comprises a stationary pedestal formed byian annular sting 2 1 which rests upon apl uralityof verticaIIegsZZ 1y tw o of which are visible in Fig. 3); The annular casting 21 has a cylindrical side wall23 the upper'edge of which is turned inwardly to form a horizontal Lfla'nge 24ff1h main shaft 25 of the filling station ie xte vertieally through the center opening 26 of the cas ing'f 21 12s formed by its annular flange and is receivedfor both, vertically sliding, as well as rotary movement, withinfa bearing 28 that forms the hub "of a'jspid :which restswith the tips of its arms 30 in suitable recesses 31 of the above mentioned vertical legs 22 .A

: 5111 1-132 is pinned to the shaft 25 near the lower end thereof and said collar'rests upon a gasket or washerj33 placed upon the upper end 'of a vertically positioned "fsleeve 3 5 that surrounds the lower end of the 'shaft 2 5. "Said sl'eeveis slidably received within a bearing ,36

forme:d a frame structure 37 which is suppgirted from the'aforementioned arms'30 of'the spiderf29. [the bearing 36 said sleeve'35 is held by means to be de- "scribed hereinafter which permit variation of ,its vertial position for the purpose of adjusting the vertical tion o f the main shaft 25.

In upward direction the main shaft 26 extends through, a'nd'is pinned to, a hearing 38 formed'inthe cup-s ped bottom 39 of a tank or reservoir 40 which's urrounds said shaft co'ncentrically and is itself concentrically dis sed 'w'ithin the center aperture 26 of the hereiiibefeiieidescribed annular casting 2 1. The upperi'edgeloff the shaped "tank bottom 39 is turnedbutwardlyi'to lforrh'ga horizontal annular flange 41 that extends a distance above the horizontal flange 24 of the annular casti '1 and which supports along its periphery cal side wall 42 of the tank40. I v "Secured to the flange 24 of the annular casting 21 is Patented July 31, 6

a track 43 to support the cans delivered thereto by the can feed mechanism B, and secured to the vertical portion 44 of the cup-shaped tank bottom below the outwardly turned flange 4i thereof is a can propelling turret 45. Said turret possesses an endless sequence of circurnferentially spaced radially directed propeller fingers 46 which form an endless sequence of pockets 47. Within said pockets 47 the cans are received and are propelled by the fingers 46 along the track 43 as the tank 4% rotates about its center axis. An arcuate guide rail 49 (Figures 1 and 13) accompanies the track 43 along its outer perimeter so as to hold the cans to their circular course as the fingers 46 of the turret 45 propel them around the machine.

Provided in the horizontal flange 41 of the cup-shaped tank bottom 39 in vertical adgnment with the can propelling pockets 4-! are circular openings 51 within which are seated the can filling valves 52 that discharge the liquid contained in the reservoir 49 into the containers traveling underneath. Having reference to Figures 4 and 5, each of said valves comprises a bushing 53 having a threaded upper end 54 which engages the threaded side wall of the circular opening 51, and slidably received within the cylindrical interior of each bushing 53 is a valve nozzle 55 the tubular interior of Which is preferably arranged to converge in downward direction, as shown. The upper end of the tubular valve nozzle 55 is closed by a lid member 56 that forms a radially projecting rim 56a which is adapted to rest loosely upon a circular gasket 57 that is seated in a countersunk depression in the top surface of the valve bushing 53. Directly below said lid 56 a plurality of ports 59 are provided in the side wall of the tubular valve nozzle 55 along its circumference. Said ports are eifectively closed by the bushing 53 as long as the valve nozzle remains in the position illustrated in Fig. 4 wherein the lid member 56 rests upon the gasket 57. Means are provided to lift the valve nozzle 55 at the appropriate time above the position illustrated in Figure 4 into the position illustrated in Figure so as to permit liquid from from the reservoir as to reach the tubular interior of the nozzle through the port 59 and discharge from the tapering lower end thereof into a can traveling underneath. For this purpose, the lid member 56 of each valve 52 is suitably secured to the lower end of a stem 60 which may be composed of two vertically aligned stem sections 61 and 62 that are joined by a suitable coupling 63, as shown. Said stem 60 extends above the upper edge of the reservoir iii and its upper end is embraced by and clamped into the bifurcated end 65 of an arm 66 as shown in Figure 6. The arm 66 extends ra dially beyond the wall 42 of the reservoir 40 and its outer end is suitably clamped to a vertically positioned rod or bar 6 that is slidably received in vertically aligned apertures provided in two vertically spaced rings 71a and 71b fastened to the tank wall 42 at the outer surface thereof, as shown in Figures 7 and 15. Clamped to said rod 69 at a point intermediate of said rings is an arm 72 disposed tangentially of the reservoir 4%, and pivoted to said arm is a cam follower roller 73 that is adapted to engage a cam track segment 74 (Figures 10, 11 and 12) during rotation of the reservoir. Said cam track segment 74 is pivotally supported by a stud 74a from the inner face of a stationary annular band 75 in angular alignment with the sector of the can track 43 of the machine where the cans are to be filled with liquid from the reservoir. Said band 75 surrounds concentrically the side wall 42 of the reservoir (Figure l) and is adiustably supported from the stationary pedestal 20 of the machine by means of two posts 76 located at dia metrically opposite points of the machine (Figures 1 and 13). In order that liquid from the reservoir may be discharged through a valve 55 only when a can is positioned underneath and traveling in alignment with said valve, the cam track segment 74 is normally held in a lowered position, as illustrated in broken lines in Figures 12 and 13, wherein it remains without effect upon the cam follower rollers 73 that rotate with the reservoir 40 about the vertical main axis of the machine. However, whenever a can is contained in the turret pocket 47 corresponding to a roller 73 passing above the track segment 74, said segment is automatically lifted into the position, shown in full lines in said Figure 12, in which it engages and elevates said roller 73 so as to lift the valve nozzle 55 controlled thereby. For this purpose a feeler element in the form of a horizontally positioned arcuate rod 77 protrudes with its convex side at a point in angular alignment with the cam track segment 74 from the outside into the circular path of the cans as defined by the guide rail 49 as shown in Figure 13. Said rod 77 is secured to the short horizontal bar 7% of an arm 79 in the form of an inverted L, which has a vertical bar 795 whose lower end is hinged to the cylindrical side wall 23 of the stationary casting 21 as shown at 80 in Figure 14. A spring 82 coiled around a stud 83 that extends through a slot 84' in the vertical bar 79b of the arm 79 urges said arm against suitable stop means (not shown), provided on the cylindrical side Wall of the casting 21, so as to project the arcuate feeler rod 77 yieldably into the path of the cans. Rigidly secured to the lower end of said Lshaped arm 79 is the long bar 85 of an L-shaped link 86 that lies in a horizontal plane, with said long bar 85 disposed tangentially of the annular casting 21. The radially projecting short bar 87 of said link 86 is pivotally connected to the lower end of a vertical link 83 that may be of adjustable length. The upper end of said link 8% is pivoted to one arm of a bell crank 90 which turns on a stud 91 mounted in the hereinbefore described stationary band 75. The other arm of said bell crank is pivoted to one end of an actuating link 93 that is pivotally connected with its other end to the center point 94 of a toggle joint 95 (Figures 12 and 13). The lower link 96 of said toggle joint is pivoted to the band 75, as shown at 97, while its upper link 98 is pivotally connected to the free end of the cam track segment 74 by means of a pin 99 that protrudes through a suitable aperture 1M) provided in the band 75. If there is no can in the turret pocket 47 that passes the feeler rod 77 at a particular instance, the described train of links and levers remains in the position shown in Fig. 13, wherein the spring 32 maintains the L-shaped lever 80 in a substantially vertical position. Under such conditions the toggle joint 95 remains relaxed with the free end of the cam track segment 74 held in the re tracted position illustrated in broken lines in Figures 12 and 13 wherein it cannot engage the cam follower roller 73 of the filler valve that is aligned with the par ticular turret pocket passing underneath.

However, when a turret pocket contains a can, said can strikes against the arcuate feeler rod 77 and pushes said rod in radial direction out of its way causing the L- shaped arm 79 to swing outwardly away from the casting 21 against the force of the spring 82. in consequence *thereof the radial arm 87 of the L-shaped link S6 swings downwardly and pulls the link 83 which causes the toggleactuating link 93 to be pulled to the left as viewed in said Fig. 13. This tensions the toggle joint 95 causing its upper link 98 to swing the free end of the cam track segment 74 about its pivot 74a into the path of the control roller 73 of the corresponding filler valve 52. Thus, said roller and the nozzle 55 of said filling valve are briefly lifted which permits liquid to discharge from the interior of the reservoir 40 through the ports 59 into the can traveling in the turret pocket 47 directly below the par ticular filling valve; and as soon as said turret pocket witl. the can contained therein has passed the feeler rod 77, the spring 82 returns the L-shaped lever H and its associated linkage to their original positions wherein the toggle joint 95 is relaxed and the cam track segment 74 is retracted 3 belgw the path of the rotating valvecontrol rollers 73.

:By the .described arrangement, :the filling valves, comprised in the machine of the invention will open only in the .presence of cans in the tarret pockets underneath so that thereris no danger thatliquid-trom the rotating-reser- .vo'ir40lmay go to waste and soilthe machine pedestal in case there is no can under any of the filling valves -52.

:Means are provided in accordance withthe invention which precisely predeterrnine the quantity of liquid discharged-from the-reservoir Whenever avalve-52 is opened sothatthe amount of liquiddirected into-the cans passed thrOugh-the-rnachine of the invention is exactly the same 'forevery-one of said cans.

For-this purpose a vertically movable hollow cylinder 1 05 of suff ciently large diameter to concentrically s'urround thelid member 56-of-the valve-nozzles=55 is 'placed above each of the-filling valves 52 in axial alignment therewith so that its lower edge may rest upon the gasket 57 in the top surface of the'-bushing=53 and completely surrounds the lid portion 56 of the valve nozzle when the cylinder isin its lowermost position as illustrated in Figs. -3 and 5. Means are provided to li-ft each of the cylinders 105 a-limited distance above the gasket 57 over part of their rotational course about the center axis of the machine to permit-liquid to enter said cylinders from the reservoir 40 to a height determi-nedbythe liquidlevel within saidreservoir whereupon each cylinder is lowered to its original position and held against its respective gasket 57 while its associated can filling valve rglis openedin the above described manner, so that only the quantity of liquid entrapped within the cylinder may dischargethrough the valvenozzle 55 into the can below.

Having again reference to 'Figs. 3, 4 and 5 four spokes 651:: project radially from the ,lower section fil of each valve stem 60 and bear against the inner s urface of the cylinder 105 to maintain said cylinder in properlycenteredposition relative to the valve52 during its movemcn j pwa d y a y r m a d b ck t th upp su face of theivalve bushing 53. A collar 1 06'is fitted into the upper end of each of said cylinders and said collar .is

provided with an annulargroqve 10.7 which .is engaged by the points of two opposed .claws 1118 and l09 thatlare bolted to the opposite ends of a yokelli) which embraces I said collar 1.06 as best shown in Figure 8. Said yoke 1:1

foi'rns theend of an arm 112 that extends radially bey ond the side wall 942 of the rotating reservoir dtl and which is fi m y cl mp d to a e ti a od tha is slidablrre- .Psi wi hin t c ly a i d vcr at re l 'th a crementioned rings 71a and 71b whicha re secured to end wta w t t e e e v i 0 (Fi e an .Clarhr to each of the rods 1'13 below the lower ring 71b is a hcr n a m .11 d spqse tansentiall of he tan w 52- Sa am ay b a d t mlzra with its forked end 114aaflattenedportion 69a of the rod 59in th ac uatin m ch n sm o t assoc ated fi er v lvefi to be se u y ocke aga nst a c denta ro a y d spl c v In ent. Similarly the .hereinbefore described arm 7 2 that :i clamped to said rod 3.6.9 max/en a W th-it --f, r1;ed end 72a a flattened portion 113a. of the rod liiiv(Figures 7, 9 and 14). Pivotcd to each,arm;11,4 is a carngfollower e c than i c 1 9. .a-c c l amt c 5 1- 1 whic :i sec r rt t e sid .o h aforeme o ed stati nary ;band7;5below thelevel. of the cam track segmentM QFigure .;Over a sector of theband circumference ,exelusive of the sector occupied by said cam track segment B ith cam track 6 x ib t -a ri e 16:: o suchthc a and duration as to lift the cam;follower rollers 1-15 and henceflhe cylinderscontrolled-by saidrollerszfor a period oftime andnto anextent sullicient to .permit liquid to flow from the reservoinlllinto-the interior of. thecylinders and'fill them-tothesame level as the liquid level in the reservoir. itself.

rReYerting ,to the described .opening :of Y theafilling valves iby engagement cf .the vearn follower rollers ':'7 '3..-with tithe team. track =segruent 74in its elevated position, means t'ennined ameunt be filled into everyone of the v ers, means are provided in accordance with the invention hereinbefore described elevation of its respective measuring cylinder. Having reference .toFigures 15 and 16 -a latching blade 1:17 is pivoted to the lower ring'71b' adjacent to each of the vertically slidablerods .691 The ifree .end or tail ll'7avof each such :blade is forked as shown and .embraces its respective rod 69. Spring means 118 associated with each of the blades 11517 urge .th'em in counterclockwise direction as viewed :in Figure 16 so that the inner prongs of their forked tails are pressed against the inner surfaces of their associated rods 69. At a level .below the level of said blades 117 by aidistance equal to the-maximum elevationof the valve nozzle 55, the inner surfaces of the rods 69 exhibit horizontal slots 69b that are adapted to receive the inner prongs of the two-tailed blades 117. Thus, whenevera rod-69 is raised byengagement of its cam follower roller 7-3 with the cam track segment 74 in the manner described hereinbeforc, the spring 118 forces the inner prong of its respective blade 117 into the slot 69b which latches the actuating rod 69 and the valve nozzle controlled thereby in elevated position. However, the outered ge of each cf the two-tailed latching blades Ill-7 is arranged to form a camrning surface, as shown at ll-57b in'Fig'ure l6, and at a sector sufficiently far removed, in rotary direction,

from 'the cam track segment 74 to allow for the'tirne necessary for all the liquid contained ma measuring cylinder to drain oil through the valve ports 59", the

hereinbefore mentioned stationary band -7 5 carries'ia spring finger 119 (Figure 10) that forms a stationary camming' surface which is adapted to engage .the outer edges 117b of engaged latching blades arid force said blades inwardly outof enga f with m pejtfvle was a thereof the actuating feds-6,9

may drop to their initial position in which their correfilled into the containers processed in the machine of my invention, and to insure that exactly -saidpre decontainthat permit adjustment of the liquid level in the reservoir to exactly the desired height, and which-maintain said level constant disregarding variations in the supp'ly of the liquid to thereservoir 40 or irregularities in the withdrawal of liquid fromthe reservoir into the.containers.

Having-againvreference to Fig. 3 a tank 120, of .materially lesser depth thanithe hereinbeforedescribedresero 40 s n e n en rica lvwi h n eidtr. This inner tank 120 comprises aicylindricalshell sheet metal anda flatbottomlZZ of cast iront at a bearing 123 in its center which loosely ,surrou 3 lie rotating main shaft 25 of the machine. 'Th'e shell 121 cooperates with the annular .t lange 41, and. t he' wall:f12 to define an annular trough above the filling' valv 5 Said innertank is adjustab ly supported at a predet *level above the b0tt0m 39 of'the rotating outertank cr reservoir 40 by three vertical rods 124 which are secured -to its floor 122 and protrude with-their upper ends-through open-.hubs 125 :provided in a horizontal plate '126 th'at contains a bearing 126a inzits centerlwithin-whihis' rotatably received a reduced tenon 25a of the main shaft 25. Said plate 126 is suitably supported from the stationary machine pedestal in the center and slightly above the upper edge of the outer tank or reservoir 41} by means of a radially extending arm 127 that is held by a bracket 128 which rises from the aforementioned stationary band 75 (Figure 1). The upper portions of the rods 124 are threaded, as shown at 129, and screwed upon the projecting ends of said rods above the plate 126 are sprockets 130 which are operatively connected by a common chain 131 (Figure 2). One of said sprockets is provided with a hand wheel 132, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, and by turning said hand wheel 132, all three sprockets 130 may be turned in unison to raise or lower the rods 124 and hence the inner tank 121) depending upon the direction in which the hand wheel 132 is turned. The supply of liquid to the described can filling machine is directed into the inner tank 121) through a spout 137 that may be supported, and protrude downwardly, from the aforementioned plate 126 (Figure 3). From the tank 120 a pump 138 provided in a suitable opening 139 in the bottom 122 of said tank pumps the liquid continuously into the lower portion of the outer tank 40. Said pump 138 consists of a helical vane 149 affixed to a vertical shaft 141 that may be suitably journaled in a bracketlike extension 1 12 of the tank bottom 122 and in the aforementioned top plate 126. A pulley 143 is slidably keyed upon the projecting upper end of said pump shaft 141 above the top plate 126 and is constantly driven by means of a belt 144 from an electric motor 145 that may suitably be supported from the repeatedly mentioned annular band 75 of the machine as shown in Figure l. A heating coil 147 is mounted in the lower portion of the tank 121 by any suitable means. A heating medium such as steam may be circulated through the coil to maintain the liquid in the tank at a predetermined desirable temperature.

During practical performance of the machine the pump 138 is maintained in a continuous state of operation and thus delivers continuously liquid from the inner tank 120 into the annular trough in the lower portion of the outer tank 40 where it rises between the side walls 42 and 121 of said tanks until the liquid level within the outer tank reaches the upper edge of the inner tank and liquid flows over the said edge back into the inner tank. When the pump is operated sufiiciently fast, therefore, the level of the liquid in the outer tank or reservoir 41) is solely determined by the weir formed by the upper edge of the inner tank, disregarding any temporary increase or decrease in the supply of the liquid to the machine through the spout 137 and irrespective of variations in the norm ber of cans filled from the tank per time unit. Hence, since the measuring cylinders 105 operate within the outer tank beyond the confines of the inner tank, and since it is the level of liquid in said outer tank that determines the quantity of liquid entrapped in the measuring cylinders during operation of the machine as hereinbefore explained, the filling valves will deliver exactly the same amount of liquid into the containers passing through the machine, as long as the vertical position of the inner tank relative to the outer tank, remains unchanged. Viceversa, the amount of liquid dispensed through every one of the filling valves 52, whenever said valves are opened in the presence of a. can, may be conveniently adjusted to new values, if so desired, by the simple expedient of varying the vertical position of said inner tank relative to the outer tank. This is accomplished by turning the hand wheel 132 as described hereinbefore, and may be carried out while the machine remains in operation. In other words, whenever the hand wheel 132 is turned to lower the inner tank, the amount of liquid dispensed by each of the filler valves 52 during each cycle of the machine will be reduced, and vice versa, when the hand wheel is operated to raise the inner tank 40, the measured 8 quantity of liquid dispensed from the valves 52 will be increased.

In order to adapt the described machine to cans of different height, means are provided to vary the vertical position of the main shaft 25 relative to the pedestal of the machine as briefly pointed out hereinbefore. Whenever the vertical position of the shaft is varied relative to the pedestal 20, the position of the outer tank 40 and hence the vertical position of the filling valves 52 provided in the horizontal flange portion 41 of said tank is varied relative to the can track 43 upon the horizontal flange 24 of the stationary casting 21. Hence, by varying the vertical position of the main shaft 25 the distance between the filler valves 52 and the can track 43 may be conveniently adjusted to suit the height of the particular types of cans that are to be processed in the described machine. Having again reference to Fig. 3 a vertical rack 151) is formed in the outer surface of the hereinbefore described sleeve 35 at the lower end of the main shaft 25, and in mesh with said rack is a pinion 151 secured to a horizontally disposed stub shaft 152. Said stub shaft turns in a bearing 153 formed in the above mentioned frame structure 37 which depends from the arms of the spider 29. Secured to the free outer end of said stub shaft 132 is a worm gear 154 (Fig. 1) that meshes with a worm 155 carried by the lower end of an inclined operating shaft 156 whose upper end is provided with a hand wheel 157. By manipulating said hand wheel 157 the vertical position of the sleeve and hence of the shaft 25 supported by said sleeve may be varied which in turn varies the vertical position of the outer tank that is pinned to the shaft 25, and of the top plate 126 that rests upon said shaft. It will be understood that whenever the position of the outer tank is varied in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore described, it is necessary that the vertical position of the stationary band be varied accordingly, so as to maintain the relation between the cam follower rollers 73 and and their cooperating carn tracks '74 and 116, respectively. For this purpose the two hereinbefore described posts 76 support said band 75 in such a manner that its vertical position relative to the machine pedestal may be varied, if desired. Having specific reference to Fig. 13 it will be noted that the upper end of each of said posts 76 is threaded, as shown at 160, and is loosely received within a loop 161 that is rigidly attached to the band 75 at the outer face thereof. Adjustment nuts 162 and 163 engage the threaded end of each post 76 above and below said loop 161 and by turning said nuts in one or the other direction the vertical position of the band 75 may be varied at will.

In practical performance the outer tank or reservoir 40 which carries the filling valves 52 and the measuring cylinders 105 is continuously rotated about the vertical center axis of the machine which may be accomplished in any suitable manner, such as by means of a drive gear (not shown) that is arranged to mesh with a ring gear 170 formed in the periphery of the horizontal flange 41 of the cup shaped tank bottom 39 (Figs. 1, 3 and 13). A continuous fiow of the liquid to be dispensed by the machine is directed into the stationary inner tank through the spout 137, as previously pointed out, and the motor is started to maintain the pump 138 in a continuous state of rotation which delivers the liquid into the cup shaped bottom 39 of the rotating tank from where it rises until its level reaches the upper edge of the stationary side wall 121 of the inner tank 120. From the moment the liquid in the outer tank has reached the described level cans may be passed through the machine because the level of liquid in the outer tank will from now on remain constant at the altitude determined by the upper edge of the inner tank, provided the pump 138 operates sufiiciently fast to replace the liquid dispensed through the filler valves 52, for any excess of liquid de livered into the outer tank 40 by the pump 138 flows 9 back into said inner :tank over the upper edge thereof. Thus, every .one of the measuring cylinders 10S, when raised by engagement of its associated cam follower ,roller with .the rise 116a in the cam track 116, fills with a column of liquid of identical height which is entrapped within said cylinders as soon as return of their associated cam follower rollers 115 .to the lower portion of the cam track 116 lowers them with theiribottom edges into contact with the .gasket 57 on the top surface of :their respective valves 52. Hence, as long as the vertical position .of the stationary tank relative to the rotating tank -4t) remains unchanged, the amount of liquid entrapped in the measuring cylinders will be the same for every one of said cylinders. Thus, as rotation of the outer tank 40 moves said cylinders 105 through the machine sector illustrated in Fig. 13 wherein the track segment 74 effects opening of their respective filler valves 52 in the :manner and under the conditions previously described, exactly the same amount of liquid is delivered into every one of said cans irrespective of temporary variations .in the supply of liquid to the machine or variations in the amount of liquid dispensed-by the machine per time unit, such as may occur by irregularities in the continuity of the can procession passed through the machine. by arranging the raised segment 116a of the cam track 116 relative to the valve-unlatching spring finger 1 19 in such a manner that each cylinder 105 is maintained-in lowered position for at least 10 degrees of its rotary course, after its associated filling valve 52 has been closed, so as to allow ample time for the valve nozzle '55 :to seat Very satisfactory performance has been obtained itself properly on the gasket 57. and thus prevent-afterdrip through said valve. Thereafter, the raised segment 116a of the cam track 1 16 lifts the cylinders quickly to their maximum elevation of say /2' within no more than an arc of ZOdegrees of their-circular course, where- :upon it forms a gradual downhill slope that is-elfective to close each cylinder progressively over about degrees of their circular course. With a cam track 116 constructed in the described manner surging was held at a minimum with the result that the liquid column formed within the cylinders rose always to very precisely the same level as the liquid level in the surrounding tank. Moreover, the described conformation of the cylinder control cam 116 provides for a period of about of the total operational cycle of the machine for operating the filling valves '52 so that each filling valve may readily be kept open fora suificient period of time to .allow the entire liquid column entrapped in its associated cylinder to escape.

While I have explained my invention with theaid of a particular-embodiment thereof, it will be understood that I do-not wishto be limited to the specific constructional details shown and described which -may be departed fromwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. ,A fluid dispensing machine comprising. a firsttank, a second tank of smaller depth arranged within said first tank with'its upper edge disposed below the upper edge of said .first tank, 2means operable to deliver fluid into said second tank and maintain the fluid at a fixed level therein, means operable to effect flow of :fiuid from said second into said first tank, a discharge valve provided in said first tank at alevel belowthe upper'edge of saidsecond-tank, and a metering member movable within the space :between said tanks from a position removed from said valve to a position wherein it .separates said -.valve fromthespace vbetweensaid tanks to segregate a quantity of .fluid,ysaid metering member being of a height ,to extend above the levelof'fluidin said second tank, .and having an openunobstructed interior chamber permitting, fluid flowing-thereintoto. assume the level of the fluid in saidsecond tank.

2. .A can filling machine comprising.areservoir'having bottom-.andisaid side .vva-l'ls, means formaintain ngziiquidzata :desiredlevelin said. reservoir, ;a metering member mounted 'insaid reservoir, said member beingof atheight greater :than the height of liquid in said reservoir and having .a lower open-ended portion movable into sealingengagementwith the :bottom Wall ofsaidreservointo segregate a quantity of liquid, said metering member having an open unobstructed interior chamber tpermitting the liquid flowing thereinto to assume the :level of liquid in said reservoir, and means operable to discharge from said reservoir the quantity .of liquid segregated ,by said metering member.

3. A can fillingmachine comprising a (reservoir, La djustable means leifeotivecto maintain the level of liquid in said reservoir at a predetermined level, ta metering member mountedin said reservoir, said member :being of a height greater than the .heightof liquid insaid reservoir and having .a :lower open-ended portion movable into sealing engagement .with .the b0tt0l11 wall of said reservoir to segregate a quantity of liquid, said material member having an open unobstructed interior chamber permitting the :liquid :wflowing :thereinto to assume the "level {,Of "liquidrin...said reservoir, and means operated in aimed relation with said metering member to discharge the segregated quantityof diquid from said reservoir.

4. A liquiddispensingmachinecomprising a firshtank, a second tank disposed withinsaid first tank .with-the upper edge of-the second tankdisposed below'the upper edge of thefirst tank and-thetspaceibetweenthe tanks defininga reservoir, a plurality of normally closed discharge .valves provided in said first .tank near .the lower end thereof, a pluralityof meteringmembers mounted within said reservoir, each member being associated .with one of said valves and 'ha'ving'a portionmovable froma-first position wherein the space-immediately above said .valve isin flow communication with said reservoir to a second position wherein the-space above the valve is out of flow communication with said reservoir, means for -moving the movable portion of each metering member'to said second position tosegregatea chargeof liquid above the associ- 1 ated valve,-means.for opening, said associated valve to discharge the segregated chargeof liquid, means for closing said associated valve, means for moving said movable portion-of each-metering member to saidfirst position to reestablish-flow communication between the spaceabove tthe associatedvalvetand said reservoir, and means operable to cfiect flow-of'. liquid-fromsaid second into said first tank in quantities suflicient tocause continuous overflow into-said second'tank.

'5. A fluid dispensing. machine comprising a first tank, a -secondit-ank of less depth than said first tank and disposed'within said I first tank, means operable to effect flow ofhliquid fromsaidsecond into said first tank in quantities suflicient to cause overflow-into said second tank, avalve provided intsaid first tank, ameasuring vessel associated with said valve, -means operable to alternately establish and --shut-o ff communication between theinterior of said -vessel-andthe space between said tanks, means operable to close said-valve-when the interior of said vessel is-in communicationtwith-the space between saidtanks and to open said -valve-whenthe interior of said vessel is separated from the space between said tanks, and means operable to =bodily shift the vertical position of said second tank relative -to-said -first tank to'adjust the upper edge of said second tank-and-varythe liquid level in said first tank.

-6. A-fluid dispensing-machine comprising a first-tank, atsecondtank arrangedwithin said first tank with its upper edge disposed belowthe :upper edge of said first tank, means operable to effect flow of fluidfrom said second .intoztsaid'first tank, means operable to maintain fluid in said-second :tank :ata predetermined level, a normally closed -valveprovided in a bottom portion of said-first ita-nk, :anopen-ended-hollow cylinder disposed within the spaceabetween said'tfirst and :secondtanks in axial-alignment with said valve and projecting with its upper end above the upper edge of said second tank, means operable to reciprocate said cylinder between a raised position with its lower end spaced from said valve and a lowered position wherein it surrounds and separates said valve from the space between said tanks and segregates a charge of fluid the quantity of which is dependent on the level of fluid in said second tank, and means operable to temporarily open said valve when said cylinder is in said lowered position.

7. A can filling machine comprising a can track, a first tank having a discharge opening situated above said track, a second tank arranged within said first tank with its upper edge disposed below the upper edge of said first tank, continuously operating means for delivering liquid into said second tank, pump means operable to effect continuous flow of liquid from said second into said first tank, an enclosure associated with said discharge opening and located within the space between said tanks, cyclically operable means to place said enclosure into and out of a condition wherein it separates said discharge opening from the space between said tanks and segregates a charge of liquid, and means operable in timed relation with said cyclically operable means to open said discharge opening when it is not in communication with the space between said tanks to discharge said segregated charge, said pump means being arranged to continuously deliver liquid to said first tank in quantities sufiicient to force liquid over the upper edge of said second tank and into said second tank as liquid is discharged through said opening.

8. A can filling machine comprising a can track, a first tank having a bottom portion situated above said track, a normally closed discharge valve provided in said bottom portion, a second tank disposed within said first tank,

means for delivering fluid into said second tank, means effecting fiow or fluid from said second into said first tank, a hollow open-ended cylinder arranged coaxially with said valve in the space between said tanks, said cylinder being of such length as to project above the upper edge of said second tank, cyclically operable means to reciprocate said cylinder between a raised position wherein its lower edge is located above said bottom portion and a lowered position wherein its lower edge is in contact with said bottom portion separating said valve from the space between said tanks, and means operating in timed relation with said cyclically operable means to open said valve temporarily when said cylinder is in its lowered position.

9. A can filling machine comprising a circular can track, a first tank arranged concentrically with and having an annular bottom portion situated above said can track, a normally closed discharge valve provided in said annular bottom portion, a second tank disposed within said first tank, means for delivering liquid into said second tank, means effecting flow of liquid from said second into said first tank, a hollow open-ended cylinder supported from said outer tank co-axially with said valve in the space between said first and second tanks, means operable to turn said outer tank with said valve and said cylinder about its vertical center axis, means operable to move a can on and along said track in vertical alignment with said valve, means operable to continuously actuate said liquid flow effeceting means, means operated by rotation of said first tank to reciprocate said cylinder between a raised position wherein its lower edge is situated above the circular bottom portion of said first tank and a lowered position wherein its bottom edge is in contact with said annular bottom portion separating said valve from the space be tween said tanks, and means operated by rotation of said first tank to open said valve temporarily when said cylindex is in its lowered position.

10. A can filling machine comprising a circular can track, a first tank arranged concentrically with and having an annular bottom portion situated above said can track, a normally closed discharge valve provided in said annular bottom portion, a second tank arranged within said first tank with its upper edge disposed below the upper edge of said first tank, means for delivering liquid into said second tank, means operable to effect flow of liquid from said second into said first tank, a hollow open-ended cylinder of a length at least as great as the distance between the annular bottom portion of said first tank and the upper edge of said second tank supported from said first tank co-axially with said valve in the space between said first and second tanks, means operable to turn said outer tank with said valve and said cylinder about its vertical center axis, means including said outer tank to move a can on and along said track in vertical alignment with said valve, means operable to continuously actuate said liquid flow effecting means, means operated by rotation of said first tank to raise said cylinder temporarily from a lowered position wherein its bottom edge is in contact with the annular bottom portion of said first tank, and means operated by rotation of said first tank to open said valve temporarily while said cylinder is in said lowered position.

11. Arrangement according to claim 10 wherein said cylinder-raising means are arranged to raise said cylinder rapidly to its maximum elevation and thereafter return it gradually to its lowered position.

12. In a liquid dispensing machine, a liquid supply tank having an upper overflow edge, a plurality of valves arranged to discharge liquid from said supply tank, means for intermittently actuating said valves to discharge liquid from said tank, and means for supplying liquid to said tank in quantities sufficient to force liquid to flow over the upper edge of said tank while liquid is discharged through said valves.

13. A fluid dispensing machine comprising a first tank, having a side wall and a bottom wall, a second tank of smaller depth arranged within said first tank and cooperating with the side wall and the bottom wall of said first tank to define an annular trough, said second tank having an upper edge disposed below the upper edge of said first tank permitting excess fluid from said annular trough .to flow into said second tank, a plurality of valves disposed in said annular trough and arranged to control the fiow of liquid therefrom, means for actuating said valves to discharge fluid from said trough, and means for supplying liquid to said trough in quantities sutficient to force fluid to overflow into said second tank as said valves are actuated to discharge fluid from said trough.

14. In a liquid dispensing machine, the combination of a reservoir having side walls and a bottom wall, means for maintaining liquid in said reservoir at a predetermined level, and a cylindrical measuring member movable into liquid-tight engagement wth the bottom wall of said reservoir to enclose a charge of liquid the quantity of which is dependent on the level of liquid in said reservoir.

15. In a liquid dispensing machine, the combination of a liquid reservoir having side walls and a bottom wall, means for maintaining liquid in said reservoir at a predetermined level, a discharge valve in said bottom wall. a cylindrical measuring member movable into liquid-tight engagement with said bottom wall around said valve to enclose a charge of liquid the quantity of which is dependent on the level of liquid in said reservoir, and means for actuating said valve to discharge said enclosed charge of liquid.

16. A can filling machine comprising a can track, a first tank having a bottom portion situated above said track, a normally closed discharge valve provided in said bottom portion, a second tank disposed within said first tank, means for delivering fluid into said second tank, means effecting flow of fluid from said second into said first tank, a measuring member having a cylindrical portion arranged coaxially with said valve in the space between said tanks, said measuring member being of such length as to project above the upper edge of said second tank, cyclically operable means to reciprocate said measuring member oetween a raised position wherein its lower edge is located above said bottom portion and a lowered position wherein 13 its lower edge is in contact with said bottom portion separating said valve from the space between said tanks, and means operating in timec' relation with said cyclically operable means to open said valve temporarily when said measuring member is in its lowered position.

17. A can filling machine comprising a circular can track, a first tank arranged concentrically with and having an annular bottom portion situated above said can track, a normally closed discharge valve provided in said annular bottom portion, second tank disposed within said first tank, means for delivering liquid into said second tank, means elfecting flow of liquid from said second-into said first tank, a measuring member supported in said outer tank having a generally cylindrical portion disposed -coaxially with said valve in the space between said first and second tanks, means operable to turn said outer tank with said valve and said cylinder about its vertical center axis, means operable to move a can on and along said track in vertical alignment with said valve, means operable to continuously actuate said liquid flow ettecting means, means operated by rotation of said first tank to reciprocate said measuring member betweena raised position wherein its lower edge is situated above the annular bottom portion of said first tank and a lowered position wherein its bottom edge is in contact with said annular bottom portion separating said valve from the space between said tanks, and means operated by rotation of said first tank to open said valve temporarily when said measuring member is in its lowered position.

18. In a liquid dispensing machine, the combination of a first tank having a central sump and an annular floor portion surrounding said sump at a higher elevation than said sump, a second tank disposed in the sump of said first tank having a peripheral wall with an upper portion disposed above the level of said floor portion, means for pumping liquid from said second tank into said sump and upwardly between the wall of said second tank and the wall of said sump into the annular space between the wall of said first tank and the upper wall portion of said second tank, and a plurality of discharge valves disposed in said annular floor portion.

19. In a liquid dispensing machine the combination of a first tank mounted for rotation on a vertical axis, a stationary second tank of less depth than said first tank and disposed inside said first tank to define a chamber around said second tank between the walls of said tanks,

14 means for pumping liquid downwardly out of said second tank and directing it upwardly in said chamber, means for bodily raising and lowering said second tank relative to said first tank, and means for rotating said first tank relative to said second tank.

20. In a liquid dispensing machine, the combination of a first tank having upstanding side walls and a bottom wall, a second tank of less depth than said first tank and disposed within said first tank, pump means operable to effect flow of liquid from said second tank into said first tank in quantities sutficient to cause overflow into said second tank, a plurality of discharge valves in the bottom wall of said first tank, means associated \with each discharge valve for segregating a quantity of liquid, and

means for actuating each discharge valve to discharge the gregated charge.

21. In aliquid dispensing machine, the combination of a first tank having upstanding side walls and a bottom wall, a second tank disposed in said first tank and having a peripheral wall spaced from the side wall of said first tank to provide a reservoir for liquid between said walls, means for pumping liquid from said second tank into said reservoir, and a plurality of discharge valves disposed in the bottom wall of said first tank for discharging quantities of liquid from said reservoir.

7 References Cited in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,025,814 Lemp May 7, 1912 1,036,778 Baker Aug. 27, 1912 1,105,173 Baker July 28, 1914 1,483,861 Heulings Feb. 12, 1924 1,512,764 Holmquist Oct. 21, 1924 1,513,882 Bateman Nov. 4, 1924 1,519,756 Colbert Dec. 16, 1924 1,683,120 Ayars Sept. 4, 1928 1,946,025 Lewis Feb. 6, 1934 2,122,705 Welborn July 5, 1938 2,222,617 Hothersall et al Nov. 26, 1940 2,321,994 Chapman June 15, 1943 2,356,176 Pechy Aug. 22, 1944 2,363,543 De Haven Miller Nov. 28, 1944 2,374,268 Bingham Apr. 24, 1945 2,466,731

Nordquist Apr. 12, 1949 

1. A FLUID DISPENSING MACHINE COMPRISING A FIRST TANK, A SECOND TANK OF SMALLER DEPTH ARRANGED WITHIN SAID FIRST TANK WITH ITS UPPER EDGE DISPOSED BELOW THE UPPER EDGE OF SAID FIRST TANK, MEANS OPERABLE TO DELIVER FLUID INTO SAID SECOND TANK AND MAINTAIN THE FLUID AT A FIXED LEVEL THEREIN, MEANS OPERABLE TO EFFECT FLOW OF FLUID FROM SAID SECOND INTO SAID FIRST TANK, A DISCHARGE VALVE PROVIDED IN SAID FIRST TANK AT A LEVEL BELOW THE UPPER EDGEOF SAID SECOND TANK, AND A METERING MEMBER MOVABLE WITHIN THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID TANKS FROM A POSITION REMOVED FROM SAID VALVE TO A POSITION WHEREIN IT SEPARATES SAID VALVE FROM THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID TANKS TO SEGREGATE A QUANTITY OF FLUID, SAID METERING MEMBER BEING OF A HEIGHT TO EXTEND ABOVE THE LEVEL OF FLUID IN SAID SECOND TANK, AND HAVING AN OPEN UNOBSTRUCTED INTERIOR CHAMBER PERMITTING FLUID FLOWING THEREINTO TO ASSUME THE LEVEL OF THE FLUID IN SAID SECOND TANK. 